Alan Jackson is dealing with a disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth. He says it’s becoming more noticeable or obvious to him.
For over ten years, Alan Jackson, a famous country music singer, has been dealing with a disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth. In 2021, he finally talked about it, saying that it’s becoming more noticeable to him. Recently, he gave an update on his condition and talked about his future performing live for his fans. Alan, who is now 65 years old, spoke with Jenna Bush Hager on Today, sharing that he has neuropathy and a neurological disease inherited from his father. He mentioned that there’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting him for many years.
“It’s not something that will end my life. It’s not deadly,” said the singer of “Good Times.” He explained further by saying, “But it’s similar to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.” According to John Hopkins Medicine, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is a condition that affects the nerves in the feet, legs, hands, and arms, and it’s passed down from parents through genes. The singer of “Chattahoochie” mentioned that his grandmother and older sister also have CMT.
“The way I move on stage is becoming more obvious. I can feel myself stumbling around, and it’s uncomfortable,” said the singer from Georgia. He mentioned having trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone. Throughout his career, his wife, Denise Jackson, whom he married in 1979, has supported him. They have three daughters: Mattie, born in 1990, Ali, born in 1993, and Dani, born in 1997. Although they briefly separated in 1998, they’ve been inseparable since then, and Denise remains his biggest supporter.
Back when Denise worked as a flight attendant, she met the famous singer Glen Campbell. She convinced him to meet her husband, who was trying to become a musician while working in the mailroom at the Nashville Network. After Glen Campbell passed away tragically in 2017, Jackson said he felt grateful to him. Glen was the first person Denise introduced him to in Nashville. Denise explained that when one of them feels sad, the other tries to make them feel better. They’ve had a really good life together, like a fairy tale.
At the CMA Awards, the singer thanked his wife Denise for her endless support when he received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. He spoke warmly about their long journey together since they were teenagers, saying she’s been by his side through thick and thin for over 40 years. He acknowledged that he might not always be easy to love, but she stuck with him through tough times and celebrated the good times together. He also emphasized that his tour in 2022, called the Last Call: One More for the Road Tour, wasn’t meant to be a farewell tour.
“I never wanted to do a big retirement tour like some people do, then take a break for a year and come back. I think that’s kinda cheesy,” he said in a September 2021 interview with Bush Hager. “I might still tour as much as I can. I don’t want people to feel sad for me; it’s just a part of life. I’ve had a wonderful life. It feels good to talk about it openly. It’s a relief in some ways.”
He also mentioned, “I’ve been hesitant to talk about this with my fans. It’s called CMT, ironically enough, because CMT was a big part of my career.”
What are your favorite memories of Alan Jackson? Share them in the comments below, and let’s spread love for this legendary singer who’s always stayed true to country music.
